Scared to let my girls out!

As some of you know something got my sweet girl Ginny Saturday night around dusk, she was out of the coop. Everyday I would let them out to forage in the yard for quite a while and keep an eye on them, or at least hear them. They would coop themselves at dusk. Of course I will be cooping them before that now. But now I am terrified to let them out of the coop to enjoy themselves doing what they love. During the day I've never had any issues, but now I'm a nervous wreck thinking about letting them out. Their run is only a 10x10x6. I don't know what to do.

Sorry for your loss. It's a risk of free ranging, always good to have a secure run of adequate size for your flock to be confined after predator attacks, because they usually come back for more.
Keep those cacklers safe!

Sorry for your loss. It's a risk of free ranging, always good to have a secure run of adequate size for your flock to be confined after predator attacks, because they usually come back for more.
Keep those cacklers safe!

Click to expand...

I will probably end up expanding the run. Im building a screen door to have so they can see me in the front yard. I'm hoping the Brahma hen Im getting from Kat will help them, since all of mine are under 12 weeks.

Sorry for your loss. It's a risk of free ranging, always good to have a secure run of adequate size for your flock to be confined after predator attacks, because they usually come back for more.
Keep those cacklers safe!

Click to expand...

I will probably end up expanding the run. Im building a screen door to have so they can see me in the front yard. I'm hoping the Brahma hen Im getting from Kat will help them, since all of mine are under 12 weeks.

Click to expand...

Not sure how you think adding an older hen will 'help' them.
They should be fine on their own as long as you keep them in a secure run.
Adding birds can be stressful and bring other problems.

Free ranging carries risk just as driving an interstate does for humans.

I certainly understand the feeling of paranoia following a predator attack. I suffer from it every time I have a predator incident. My flock is in the run right this minute because I'm indoors typing this. Though it makes little difference to a dedicated predator whether you are outside with your chickens, it makes one feel a little better.

The best thing you can do for yourself and your flock is to become familiar with the types of predators in your area and educate yourself on their behavior patterns. It will give you a fighting chance to keep your flock safe to know what time of day these predators are most likely to be hunting their prey. Providing cover for your flock if you have no trees or shrubs for them to run under will increase their chances of survival. Even something as simple as strategically placed patio chairs and tables in open areas will give your chickens something to run under and may save their lives if a hawk swoops in for the kill.

Other predators may be more inclined to hunt early in the day or close to sundown when long shadows give prey a false sense of security. Learn which predators those might be and avoid those times of the day to free range your flock. There are no certain assurances, though, that you can think of everything to protect your flock when they free range. But you can increase their odds of survival.

Free ranging carries risk just as driving an interstate does for humans.
Thank you..that is great advice. I'm a research freak...lol. but I had not familiarize myself on the habits...ill be doing that today. I've got traps which go out tonight and a .22 waiting for them. I guess it wouldn't have been so hard on me if I wouldn't have rescued her, and nurses her back to health. She was my shadow. Plus I blame myself for not paying more attention. But it was a hard lesson learned

I certainly understand the feeling of paranoia following a predator attack. I suffer from it every time I have a predator incident. My flock is in the run right this minute because I'm indoors typing this. Though it makes little difference to a dedicated predator whether you are outside with your chickens, it makes one feel a little better.

The best thing you can do for yourself and your flock is to become familiar with the types of predators in your area and educate yourself on their behavior patterns. It will give you a fighting chance to keep your flock safe to know what time of day these predators are most likely to be hunting their prey. Providing cover for your flock if you have no trees or shrubs for them to run under will increase their chances of survival. Even something as simple as strategically placed patio chairs and tables in open areas will give your chickens something to run under and may save their lives if a hawk swoops in for the kill.

Other predators may be more inclined to hunt early in the day or close to sundown when long shadows give prey a false sense of security. Learn which predators those might be and avoid those times of the day to free range your flock. There are no certain assurances, though, that you can think of everything to protect your flock when they free range. But you can increase their odds of survival.